Nicholls: Experience vital in Gold Cup
Nicholls’ pair have dominated jumps racing since 2007 and it was not until Imperial Commander’s interruption last year that the elite prize had left his Somerset stables.
Kauto Star and Denman are now both 11 and have rivals queuing up behind, with the former finally losing his King George VI Chase crown to Long Run and the latter having been given a breathing operation after finishing third on his only start this term in the Hennessy Gold Cup.
“It’s a really interesting, open contest,” said Nicholls. “You’ve got some nice young horses coming through and it’s unfortunate that we lost a nice one on Saturday (Pride Of Dulcote).
“I’m talking Long Run and Diamond Harry as younger horses, then you’ve got the three older lads who have been there and done it. It’s probably as open as we’ve seen for a long time, but I still feel the older three of Imperial Commander, Denman and Kauto Star are the ones to beat.
“All three love the track, they’re all great horses and if they can all get there, it’s going to be a great race.”
Of the dual Gold Cup winner Kauto Star, Nicholls went on: “He’s by no means a back number and Long Run looked awesome at Kempton.
“We did find a trickle of blood and he had a cold for a week afterwards, something he’s never had before.
“I think we can forgive him one run, and if he hadn’t made a mistake at the second-last, he would have finished a good second anyway.
“I hope he might have a racecourse gallop beforehand. It’s not something we have done before, but it would be just more of a case of giving him a day out at the races and maybe Ruby can have another sit on him.
“But we’re very happy with him and looking forward to running him.
“Denman is not getting any younger either but he worked very nicely with Big Buck’s yesterday and has had his breathing operation as we just felt he was fading at the end of his races.
“He made no noise yesterday when he worked, he looks great in his coat and seems really fit and enthusiastic.”
Nicholls is likely to field two more runners. The 2008 third Neptune Collonges is still thriving while he will give What A Friend another chance despite his defeat to stablemate Noland in last week’s Aon Chase.
Nicholls admits Tataniano is facing a battle to be ready for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
A Grade One winner at Aintree as a novice, he has only been seen once this season when third at Cheltenham’s Paddy Power meeting and is the stable’s third string on betting for the two-mile title after Master Minded and Woolcombe Folly.
“It’s difficult – I’m just struggling with him,” said Nicholls. “He was lame about three weeks ago and he’s fine now, but I have told Andy (Stewart, owner) that it’s not the end of the world if he goes to Aintree and Punchestown.”
Queen Mother Champion Chase contender Woolcombe Folly has won both his starts in handicaps at Ascot at Cheltenham.
“I was going to run him in the Game Spirit at Newbury the other day but he had a dirty scope test and had to go on a course of antibiotics for five days,” Nicholls explained. “He’s back in full work and will be fresh and well for Cheltenham.
Woolcombe Folly will still need to see off the dual winner Master Minded, though.
“I think he (Master Minded) has got an outstanding chance and is still the one they have got to beat,” said the trainer.
While Nicholls has not quite had the strength in the novice divisions enjoyed in many previous years, a couple more have jumped into the reckoning over the last month.
Not least Aiteen Thirtythree, who looks pretty certain to be bound for the RSA Chase after impressing at Newbury last Friday.
“He’s one of my favourites,” said Nicholls. “I’m astonished how much he has improved this season. ”
Nicholls will have two chances to win the JCB Triumph Hurdle for a second time, with the well-thought-of Brampour set to join Sam Winner in the four-year-old title decider.
He said: “Brampour was much better at Taunton last time and will come on again.”
Ghizao remains on course for the Arkle Challenge Trophy, Poquelin the Ryanair Chase, and Pepe Simo the Grand Annual, provided he passes his final test at Sandown on Friday.
Join Together was confirmed for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, while Nicholls is leaning towards the Supreme Novices’ for Al Ferof.
A few weeks ago, Nicholls’ Festival banker would have been Big Buck’s in his bid to claim the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for a third consecutive year.
But the emphatic Cheltenham win of the David Pipe-trained Grands Crus has given him a little to think about.
“Big Buck’s had a racecourse gallop with Denman on Sunday and he’s bang on course for the World Hurdle,” Nicholls said.
